Not just in a Saturday night regular-season finale, but for the next couple of weeks and perhaps slightly beyond. Forget best-of-seven; let’s play eight.

Maple Leafs players and management won’t go so far as to say it publicly, but given the three options for their first playoff opponent in nine years, why not take aim at the team they have the best chance to beat down?

The fact that the somewhat hated Habs are such historic Original Six rivals is a bonus for the already revving hype machine, but the division cousins from La Belle Province also offer the Leafs their best opportunity to move on.

“We’re physically a lot bigger and stronger,” Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul said after the team’s brief but brisk practice Friday at the Mastercard Centre. “They’re a solid team. They’ve been struggling a little bit, but there’s a reason why they’ve earned home-ice advantage.

“We’ve played well against them this year, so we’d like to continue on that path — just play physical and make things really tough on them and their small players.”

While the Habs won’t necessarily be a pushover, they may offer the best matchup possibilities for Leafs coach Randy Carlyle. The Leafs’ physical approach has certainly been a factor in compiling a 3-1 record versus Montreal this season, a domination the team would like to continue with a loud message Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre.

The other two possibilities are the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals with the final verdict potentially delayed as late as Sunday night when the makeup game between the B’s and Ottawa Senators is completed.

Right now, the Canadiens look like the most likely dance partner, a matchup that could grow closer with a Leafs win in the finale. If that happens, the Bruins would have to be held without a point in games against Washington and Ottawa to slip down to the fourth seed and face the Leafs.

The Capitals become a possibility for the Leafs if they lose to Montreal and the Sens win both of their games to move ahead of their provincial rival.

With so many possibilities, the Leafs won’t have the option of getting cute but seem to be approaching Saturday’s contest as a meaningful playoff prep.

“It’s a big game for us, to be physical and play the way we have against Montreal in the past,” forward Clarke MacArthur said. “No matter who we play, we want to pound them, wear teams out. Especially heading into a series, it can be really important.”

Though the Leafs were much more competitive against the Bruins this year, going 1-2-1 and avoiding the punishing blowout losses of the previous couple of seasons, they are without doubt a tougher matchup. The B’s may be somewhat off form down the stretch, but they would be clear favourites against the Leafs in a seven-game series.

The Capitals, with a suddenly rejuvenated Alex Ovechkin, would seem like a team to be avoided. The Leafs won the season series by a 2-1 count but were thumped rather soundly in a 5-1 loss at Washington last week.

From the Habs’ perspective, there is still enough to play for in their last game as well, beyond proving they can compete with the Leafs. A win on Saturday coupled with a Bruins loss in regulation to the Caps would give Montreal the Northeast Division and a date with whoever ends up in seventh.

With much of the final seeding out of his team’s control, Carlyle is sticking with the mantra that “coaches never have preferences” for playoff opponents.

“We (as a coaching staff) have went through it upside down, sideways, inside out, any way you want to look at it,” Carlyle said. “It doesn’t change until they tell us who our opponent is.

“As far as getting in-depth, we have played all three teams and we have a scouting report or template. It doesn’t really matter from our perspective. We have business to take care of tomorrow.”

And part of that business, it would appear, is doing what they can to set up a matchup with the Habs.

“It’s definitely not going to be a nothing game,” Leafs forward Frazer McLaren said. “It’s nice that we can (almost) control our own destiny that way. We’ve had some success against (the Habs) this year and that can give you some confidence going into a series with them.”

Why Leafs should want playoff series vs. Habs

Not just in a Saturday night regular-season finale, but for the next couple of weeks and perhaps slightly beyond. Forget best-of-seven; let’s play eight.

Maple Leafs players and management won’t go so far as to say it publicly, but given the three options for their first playoff opponent in nine years, why not take aim at the team they have the best chance to beat down?

The fact that the somewhat hated Habs are such historic Original Six rivals is a bonus for the already revving hype machine, but the division cousins from La Belle Province also offer the Leafs their best opportunity to move on.

“We’re physically a lot bigger and stronger,” Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul said after the team’s brief but brisk practice Friday at the Mastercard Centre. “They’re a solid team. They’ve been struggling a little bit, but there’s a reason why they’ve earned home-ice advantage.